CLEARLY...

... ITS TIME TO END THIS BLOG.

PAUL MOREBY!

So that's who sent the Baileys!! What a star he is. So thoughtful. We've had a bit of a giggle today about the timing of its arrival!

BEAUTIFUL SUNNY MORNING

Not a bit Christmassy thoug! Just waiting for Gilly from next door to collect her key from us - it's complicated - and then we're heading into town. Charles is doing the rounds of the fruit and veg stalls in the market and I'm going to my new hairdressers for a wash and blow dry. Might also have a little visit to Fenwicks Food Hall if it's not too busy! Then back home for some leisurely food prep! Oh... And a gorgeous bottle of chocolate Baileys has just been delivered. No idea who it's from but the timing could not have been better!!

STAR WARS.

Charles and James have gone to see it this afternoon. I hope they really enjoy it. It might cheer Charles up a bit. Anyway, he's made sure that he's thoroughly prepared by watching ALL the previous movies during the past week. While he's out I've wrapped presents for the neighbours two doors down - Sikh family who have brought us gifts many times since we moved in and who have just brought Christmas presents round this afternoon. so, I've made sure there's something for everyone, although the gifts are just tokens really. I've started James's birthday cake, but won't finish it until Christmas morning. I haven't cried so much today, so that's an improvement, although it was touch and go for a while this morning. I suspect we have fallen foul of the advice that we should be looking after our own mental and emotional health in order to get through this testing time. Thankfully, we have amazingly understanding neighbours, some of whom are very well versed in mental health issues and just knowing that they are around is a real consolation. I'm beginning to get over what happened the other night. It was probably the singular most unhelpful situation I've been in since Christina became ill and it has had a negative impact on both of us really. But we need to move on from it and, hopefully, the next few days will help us to do just that.

RANG SAKS...

... and cancelled my appointment next week. I felt awful, but have to confess that at half the price I am used to paying, the colour (no bleach) and styling that I had yesterday in town convinced me to make the change.

CHILLING WITH THE GIRLS!

Seriously. I'm lounging around watching rubbish on the telly, snuggled up with Lily and Rose. I just thought I'd have a go at experiencing what Charles h been doing for the last couple of days. Clearly he's decided to watch all the Star Wars films before he goes to see the new one on Tuesday. Must be nice to have nothing better to be getting on with...

WAITING...

... for five Christmas cakes to be picked up and then we'll have our meal. While we wait, we are watching the Newcastle game from last weekend. One that we an enjoy of course! Tomorrow I'm having my hair coloured AT A NEW HAIRDRESSERS! I am in two minds about doing this. I feel really guilty because I've been a customer at SAKs in Morpeth for decades and they know me and, more importantly, my hair. BUT the place I'm going to tomorrow is in town, so really handy, and half the price of SAKs and yet it appears to be very professional. We will see how it turns out! If it's a disaster, I do still have an appointment in Morpeth next week that I haven't been able to bring myself to cancel yet.

WOULD LIKE TO SAY...

... that I'm feeling much better today, but it wouldn't be true. I had another night of very disturbed sleep due to bouts of coughing, so hardly feel refreshed. Never mind, it can't last much longer.

ITS BEEN A GOOD DAY FOR...

... sorting out odds and sods of jobs that needed to be done, but which we kept putting off. Now I can happily cross lots of stuff off my list. I'm ready for a lie down now though!! It's only just gone 4pm, is a dark as night and I'm still getting over the cold/flu/bug. I didn't have the best nights sleep due to coughing, but have to say I don't think I'm quite as bad as I was yesterday, so I'm hopeful of a better sleep tonight. Lots of Christmas cakes are going to be collected tomorrow evening, so we should have a dining table again. I've just had an extra order for one from a customer who had two last week and wondered if I had any more to spare. Fortunately I did - OURS! Not to worry, I have another one ready to finish and we can have that. This time it's a ginger fruit cake, slightly lighter that the traditional Christmas cake, but I think that will make a nice change. Because it's more spongey in texture I'm going to keep it frozen until next week before covering it with marzipan and, possibly, shock horror, ROYAL ICING. Might change my mind about that, but you never know, it might be worth a try. OR - just thought - maybe marshmallow frosting? Who knows? The icing possibilities are endless...

FEELING LOUSY!

I've had a cold brewing for days and it has now manifested itself into full on, raised temperature, hacking cough, skin that hurts, sore ribs miserableness. All I want to do is curl up and sleep, but even that hurts and as soon as I lie down a start to cough... Oh woe is me!!

DIDNT SEE THAT COMING!

NUFC 2 SPURS 1 Great stuff. Might watch MOTD tonight!

YOU REMEMBER THE TREE...

... That we got from Chopwell Woods, Forestry Commission? Well it turned out to be completely rubbish. We got it into the house and ended up filling a bin liner with needles after emptying the Hoover twice! I think there were more needle on. The floor than at any time during the last ten years - maybe more - of Christmas trees. We ended up in a bit of a slanging match as we tried to decide what to do and ended up throwing it out and getting another from Gosforth. A letter of complaint will be sent to Chopwell Woods tomorrow and I sincerely hope we get our money back because it was absolutely not fit for purpose. However, we now have a lovely tree, all lit up and decorated. I'm currently sitting in the kitchen avoiding the NUFC/ spurs game. We won't get anything out of it, but we'll get even less if I go and watch!!

FULL OF COLD.

I have been all week to be fair, but I thought it was on it's way out. Sadly I was wrong and I feel pretty yuck now. We've had a full on day AND we've had snow. Went to see James and Claire after Charles had done an hour's tutoring. They are SO organised for the baby. Charles helped to move some of the furniture round so they could put their tree up this afternoon. We did a big shop on the way home and I've been busy in the kitchen ever since. I wanted to make lots of useful party bits and pieces to go in the freezer, to save time over Christmas. I also made a fabulous raspberry meringue buche de Noel for Christmas Day tea. Am now collapsed in a heap on the sofa. Charles wants to put the tree up in the morning, but I would have loved to have done it today as it really looks Christmassy outside. Never mind, it really doesn't matter one bit.

MIGHT HAVE TO....

... think about putting the tree up this weekend. I never like to do it too soon, but there's a fine balance between allowing time to appreciate all your expensive Christmas decorations, and them driving you mad because they clutter the house up. Once New Year's Eve is out of the way I cannot wait to take everything down and get back to normal! I'm not too sure how I feel about Christmas this year, mainly because we are unlikely to see Christina as she has effectively cut links between us. This leaves me feeling more sad than I could begin to explain, but it's her choice and we need to respect her decision. It will be the first time that she won't have been part of our Christmas and it hurts. Apart from that, we will be having a strange Christmas Day - just the two of us until mid-afternoon when James and Claire come to celebrate birthday AND Christmas. I think we're planning to have our actual Christmas meal on the Sunday, so that will be a huge departure from the norm as well as having implications on shopping!! BUT the most important thing, and I suppose the reason for Christmas feeling a little insignificant this year, is that the new baby is due any time around New Year and that certainly feels more important. Strangely, I remember feeling the same 31 years ago!!

SITTING DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME...

... this afternoon! Feel shattered actually. It's been a full on day of cake deliveries to Blyth, Christmas card posting and visiting ex-neighbours in Fram, shopping for quiche ingredients and baking like a mad thing all afternoon. I still have six quiche waiting to be baked. Thankfully, we have agreed on fish and chips for tonight's meal and then Charles is going round to Dave's to help with a rather exciting project that's just come in for him. Probably can't say too much at this stage but it involves a soundtrack and the Irish football team and an important tournament next year! Good on him!

GOT THE TREE!

Ended up in Chopwell Woods and found a Noble Fir that we both love. It's quite unusual, but a gorgeous blue green and very sturdy. Apparently it has an amazing fragrance as well. Anyway, it's in the garage for now. I've never been keen on getting the house decorated too early!! Just thawing out a bit and then I fully intend to spend the afternoon making gingerbread biscuits. I fully expect the house to smell divine with all the gingery warmth from the kitchen!!

CHARLES IS HOME

That's his last visit to the school in Birmingham. (We're having an Indian takeaway this evening because I can't face cooking and just fancy Indian - and once you've got the idea in your head, nothing else will do!) Managed to get all the cards written today. Hopefully we might choose a tree tomorrow. It is indeed beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

CHARLES IS IN BIRMINGHAM...

... For his final visit. Should be back by mid-afternoon tomorrow. It meant an extremely early start. We were all up at 5.00, but the girls and I went back to bed an hour later! The roofers have been to replace the two tiles that came down on Saturday night, and they don't appear to have discovered any other problems up there, so that's a relief. Just had the guy over the road pop in wanting a Nottingham Forest cake for his Dad for Christmas. That'll be a first! Right, I MUST make a start on Christmas cards!!!!

THATS IT THEN!

I don't go to the match. Newcastle win. Simple solution to the team's woes. Don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner.

THE RELIEF...

... that comes from deciding not to go to the match is indescribable. I have no butterflies, no interest in team selection, or, heaven forbid, likely line up. no desire whatsoever to hear anything about this disaster waiting to happen until Charles and James get back from the ground. I'm truly sorry Jim, but you are both going out later to a gig you will really enjoy, so a bit of pain and disappointment beforehand won't do you any harm. I intend to catch up on Strictly as we missed it yesterday. And I'm sure I'll be the one who has the most fun this afternoon.

KESWICK

Just seen the news. First item - the storm that's hit the North today and especially Cumbria where a major incident has been declared. Those poor people are just helpless. And the worst thing is the number of flood defences that are being breached.how can that happen? It'll be a real test for Morpeth if the Wansbeck continues to rise. Ad for us - it's the wind that's been really bad here. Seems set for tomorrow too. And it makes me very pleased that I'm not going to the match tomorrow!! Sorry James xxxx

WENT TO...

... the Metro Centre this morning. We were SUPPOSED to be meeting Charles's Mum and a group from the nursing home, but we had a phone call early on telling us that she had decided against going! Never mind, we went anyway. It must be YEARS since we last went and we fairly soon realised why. The shops in town are SO much better! Okay, it's easy to get round the Metro Centre, it's all undercover and there are plenty of loos, but the shops are pretty uninspiring So we probably won't be rushing back!

DIDNT WASTE ANY TIME DID THEY.

Jets were on their way to Syria WITHIN AN HOUR of the vote last night. Feel sickened by the whole saga. No good will come of it...BUT what IS the solution?

THE AYES HAVE IT

Predictable and tragic.

STRUGGLING TO STAY AWAKE!!

It's only 9pm, and I can hardly keep my eyes open. We intend to stay up to hear the result of the Parliamentary vote though. Even though it will almost certainly go Cameron's way, I want to hear it for myself. What a terrible dilemma the situation in Syria is. If any help feeling really concerned about Lucy's husband, Ata. I cannot imagine how he is feeling right now, especially knowing that his parents are still living there.

REALLY ENJOYED...

... spending the evening with James and Claire. They are such good company. My greatest wish though, is that we could one day have the same relaxed relationship with Christina. Sadly, that seems unlikely. Im not going to say more about it, except that the situation is about as bad as it's ever been - and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

Nothing beats the smell of gingerbread straight from the oven. It's worth baking it just for the smell. Fabulous!

FINISHED!

All Christmas cakes are done. Hooray!! Just need to get them wrapped and they'll be ready for delivery/collection. It'll be good to get the dining room table back actually. Looking forward to James and Claire coming round tomorrow evening. We need to make the most of their freedom of movement in the next few weeks, because all that is going to change very soon!! Oh the days of taking an hour just to get out of the house!!

2 HOURS LATER...

... We decided that the weather was so atrocious we wouldn't go (hooray) but then it calmed down a bit, so Charles has gone and has left me in the warm with the girls! I REALLY hope he enjoys the evening and that other people are daft enough to go out too.

FORGIVE ME...

... for being less than enthusiastic, but on probably the worst night of the winter so far, Charles has just announced that we are going out to see some random acoustic duo somewhere I've never heard of when all I really want to do is to stay home, in the warm and out of the gale force winds, and watch Strictly I have no desire whatsoever to go outside the house.

MATCH OF THE DAY...

Should we watch? Nah!! Okay.

SNOWBALLS!!

I've made hundreds of them. No joke. Getting a tad bored with them now and still have two cakes to go. BUT - once I've done those two I will have achieved my goal for today, which was to finish the Snow Couple cakes and to do all the bases of the Wreath cakes, just leaving me with the tops to complete next week. So I'm actually quite pleased with myself, especially as we took an hour off to go into town! Newcastle are playing Palace this afternoon and I couldn't care less. It's really pleasant not to have pre-match nerves.

JUST HAD...

... a surprise visit from Ken and Fariz who used to live here. They loved what we've done with the place. It was so good to see them.

ANNOYINGLY...

... the dishwasher is past repairing, so we've had to order a new one. We could really have done without that just before Christmas. The engineer had only been out to it two weeks ago and he said it would be too costly to fix. New one should be fitted on Wednesday. I managed to cover five more Christmas cakes today. Still no decoration added, but all the hard work is done and the fun bit is to look forward to. It'll be interesting to see if the child that Charles is supposed to be tutoring actually turns up tomorrow as planned!

HALF WAY THROUGH...

... covering the Christmas cakes. Hopefully, I'll get more covered tomorrow and then I can enjoy myself doing the decorations. We've had a fairly quiet day today, although we went into town for a couple Of hours this morning. We've bought lots of outdoor lights - that's all, just LIGHTS, no 'Santa stop here' stuff - and we're going to put those in place tomorrow, before Charles goes off to Alnwick.

WELL...

... I got THREE started. That's all! But I was kind of hampered because we were expecting Charles's first tutoring session this afternoon, but the pupil didn't turn up. There was some excuse about traffic hold ups but that only occurred when Charles rang the parents. Nobody bothered to ring him! Not impressed. Anyway, I DID get three done - I've just started them, haven't added any decoration yet, but it's better than nothing. I'm going to try to get another four started tomorrow.

SO, TODAY...

... I've got Maureen coming for coffee and after that... ... I MUST make a start on marzipanning the Christmas cakes. I like to know that I have a few days with nothing else to think about before I make a start on them, and this seems to be a window of opportunity as we've very little organised over the next few days. Just watch... Something will crop up!

DITTO...

... Yesterday's weather! Mind you, we did manage to take Charles's mum shopping in Morpeth it was cold, but bearable, although I suspect M and S must have been having a problem with their heating because it felt colder in there than outside. That was the only shop we went in. I thought we were going so that Marion could do her Christmas shopping, but it turned out she only wanted to buy a new winter wardrobe!! We didn't buy anything for Christmas at all!

DARK, WET, COLD, MISERABLE...

... That's outside. Inside is a different story, warm and cosy, fragrant smells wafting from the kitchen. Love being inside when it's so horrible out!! (Charles chose to watch the Under-21s this afternoon. I fear for his sanity.)

WHAT I FORGOT TO MENTION...

... Yesterday, in the aftermath of yet another gutless show by Newcastle ( I can't say 'performance' because that would hint erroneously at a bit of effort) was that the saddest aspect about the afternoon was discovering an empty seat next to the young teacher who sits in front of us and who goes to every home game with her Dad. They share the same ritual at every game. Always having a flask of coffee and a chocolate biscuit at half time. We've got to know them well enough to have a good chat when we all arrive at the ground, and have bumped into them in Morpeth on occasions. But the seat was empty because Sarah's Dad has died since the last home game. A routine operation, carried out successfully, led to a heart attack from which he didn't recover. She was there with her brother yesterday. Other fans who sit close by were as devastated as we were when she told us the news. It puts the rest of the afternoon into some sort of perspective.

I THINK...

... That we may have reached the decision to let the season tickets go after another shambolic performance this afternoon. And, you know what, it will be a relief!

FIRST SNOW OF THE WINTER!

Okay. I don't care. I LIKE the snow when I'm warm and cosy inside so I WILL get excited about it. I loved watching it in the early hours of the morning and was surprised by how heavy it was for a couple of hours. But by morning, there was little left, despite the temperature being below freezing. Shame. It would have looked so pretty in the winter sun. We'll be getting ready for the match shortly. I'm not sure if we're walking or catching the bus, probably the latter. Whatever we do, I'm making sure I've got a few layers on AND my extra warm Gudrun tights. (If they're good enough for the folks in Norway, they should see me through an afternoon at SJP!)

WAS FEELING...

... very smug this morning because we rushed around town and pretty much finished all the Christmas shopping, but since we got home I've been floored by a migraine and am feeling awful now. I put it down to the change in temperature between the cold outdoors and the overpowering warmth inside the shops PLUS the lighting in the shops often affects me adversely. All I want to do is to sleep it off, so I might try to have a snooze.

ALL DONE!

The bedroom looks fabulous. Really stylish and sophisticated. We are so pleased with it. The decorator was all done by 10.00, so we've had plenty of time to get the room straight. Just been over to Gosforth so Charles could pick up a... ... large, red jumper With a black belt? Hmmm, the beard has a lot to answer for! Got James and Claire coming round for dinner and it is indeed Claire's favourite, roast chicken with all the trimmings. Am actually hungry already and still have two hours to wait!

DECORATING... DAY 2...

Looking good and very nearly finished. Jim, the decorator, reckons another couple of hours to finish the gloss and that'll be everything done. So we've got another early start in the morning, but that's fine, because it should all be sorted easily by lunchtime and we might be able to get the curtains up in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to an evening Christmas shopping with James. He's coming round at 7ish and Charles is going to drop us in town for the 20% night at Fenwicks and, by default, John Lewis. To be honest, once I've done the few bits on my list, I'm sorted. Even the wrapping is pretty much done. I certainly haven't gone overboard this year, but I'm happy with what I HAVE done. Next thing to think about is Christmas cakes... Oh and some sort of Christmas stuff for Centurion apparently!

DECORATOR STARTED TODAY!

We're just having the back bedroom done. There was some heavily patterned William Morris style paper on one wall and it HAD to go. But even worse was the fact the the previous owners had painted ROUND their furniture. I thought that was only a joke, but it seems it wasn't. Anyway, by this time tomorrow it should all be nearly done. The guy who's doing the decorating is lovely. Local, from the next road actually, he knows the area really well. He has really worked hard all day, but we've been able to have a few chats as well. He's great. Very informative and personable. This evening we had the builder round to look at the garage roof and it sounds like that's going ahead at the beginning of December, so we should be completely done by Christmas. Excellent stuff.

AND ANOTHER THING...

... That Kay Burley (Burleigh?) on Sky News is absolutely appalling. She just seems to revel in the misery of it all and almost can't contain her excitement when she announces that numbers of dead might rise further. She has an unnecessarily abrupt attitude and her interview technique is leading at best and offensive at times.

SO NOW...

... Those folk who have no other way of expressing sympathy for an event that is beyond their comprehension are being made to feel guilt for not making their feeling felt with regard to other atrocities carried out by terrorists. There's always someone who has to go one step too far, or demand more than people can deliver, who is never satisfied with a well meant gesture or heart felt words. We could spend all our days expressing our sadness, anger and helplessness over countless cruel acts, of course we could, but just leave people alone to express their disbelief, horror and fear without making them feel even worse because they haven't done it for every vicious, inhumane act throughout the world. Honestly, these Holier than Thou types make my blood boil.

WHAT CAN ANYONE SAY?

The day after the horror of the Paris attacks and I just think everyone is numb. It's too much to take in. I cannot begin to imagine being a Paris resident and having to go about my daily business after that. What sort of human beings plot and carry out such an atrocity? It is too much to comprehend.

CHARLES IS GOING OUT...

... With Dave from next door later on this evening. They're off to the Cluny together. I'm sure they'll have a fab time! I still can't believe how lucky we've been with our neighbours. On the other hand, I'm going nowhere and I'm quite happy about that. It's wet, windy and flippin chilly out there. I'm more than happy to be staying in, all snug and cosy.

ALL OKAY...

... At the RVI eye dept this afternoon. In fact I only waited a mere two hours, so it was brilliant. Currently drinking luxury hot chocolate (actual chocolate heated in milk and whisked until smooth - the most gorgeous drink ever), snuggled up with the girls on the sofa. Looking forward to seeing James and Claire tomorrow and an evening with the neighbours as well. Simple pleasures!

AND WITH THE WEATHER...

... Suddenly taking a turn for the pretty horrible, I've got two birthday cakes going out in about an hour. It's always awful when customers have to drive any distance with their precious cakes, but this time it's even worse because... There are two cakes...it's wet and windy outside...and slippery underfoot... one of the cakes is a toadstool and, although it's rock solid at the moment, any sudden braking and the top is going to go flying. Aaaargh, I hate it. It's absolutely the worst part of the whole process.

RAINY WEDNESDAY

But still very warm considering its November, although that's set to change apparently. Anyway, the girls and I are lovely and cosy. I'm in the kitchen about to start on a batch of frangipani mince pies and the girls are on look out in the lounge. If they're looking for their Dad, they're in for a long wait, but I'll not tell them that as it keeps them occupied and out from under my feet!

9.30PM

And Gilly from next door has just rung to say they're having late dinner and would I like to join them? I turned her down because I'm nearly ready to go to bed, but how sweet was that? Even at this late hour!!

UP EARLY...

... Charles is off to Birmingham and I've got a day of cakes and mince pies ahead! Coffee and toast first though! Right, better get a move on, these cakes won't cover themselves...

OR MAYBE NOT!

Just had a quick scout round some blog starter sites and looks a bit complicated to me. Charles set this one up and I kind of wanted to do the next one myself. Do you have to pay for a domain name? Monthly? Or is that a trick?

NOTHING MUCH TO REPORT...

... Except that Charles and I were listening to the radio when we were out and about this morning and listened to snippets about blogging... And how there's a gap in the market for the 60 and 70 year olds! To be honest, linking the two together becomes really scary. It's just about acceptably to be in your sixties, but the next bit? No thank you. Anyway, I might have a go at filling the gap. Not sure how to go about it at all, but might do a bit of research...

MISERABLE SUNDAY AFTERNOON!

Dull and damp, but strangely mild. not conducive to being outdoors. We've got the Villa v Man City match on and are urging City to up their game as it's still 0 - 0 with quarter of an hour left. COME ON!!! I've spent the early part of the day making quiche for Centurion and was supposed to be doing some of the decorations for the next birthday cakes that go out on Friday, but I think I might call it a day for now. Dinner It'sorted because it's basically leftovers from yesterday, so I think it's time for a cuppa and feet up!!

WHAT A LOVELY DAY!!

Not the weather. That was rubbish. But the company was lovely! Mum loved the house and she coped really well with being in unfamiliar surroundings. She ate well and managed to cope with conversation, although she knows she needs to go and have her hearing aids checked. Sadly, she was ready to leave by about 4.30, but she's had a good day. I bet she sleeps in the car on the way home!

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

... a day with Mum, Helen, James and Claire. I'm sad that Christina won't be joining us. And, of course, as it would have been his birthday, I keep thinking of my Dad and wishing he could be here too.

I THINK ITS FAIR TO SAY...

... That the Fairy Toadstool cake has gone to one very happy customer! Nice to hear that it's been appreciated so much. I'll be putting it on facebook in a while so you can check it out. Next cakes are another very, very different fairy toadstool cake and Iron Man - on separate cakes obviously!

MADE PARKIN TODAY

Never mad it before, but absolutely will do again. It is AMAZING! Claire Ellis - you will love it and there's only one egg in the whole cake so you'll be fine!!

MY MUM IS COMING ON SATURDAY!

Just for the day, with Helen. It'll be the first time she's seen us in Fenham. I really hope she likes it. She's quite fragile these days, so I know she will find being away from home difficult, but she really seems determined to do it. Hopefully, James and Claire will be able to see her too. I keep nonchalantly strolling into the dining room to check that the cake I made yesterday is as fab as I think it is!! How ridiculous is that?

NATIONAL ROAST DINNER DAY.

So, at 6pm I get a text from my lovely daughter-in-law informing me that today is indeed National Roast Dinner Day. Sadly, at that time there was no way I could rustle up a chicken dinner. If I'd known earlier though... Never mind, we'll put it down to poor planning, clearly caused by baby brain!!

OH! I HAVE HAD...

... SUCH FUN TODAY. I assembled the fairy cake and am thrilled with the end product. Sadly, I can never get photos to post on the blog. I don't know why but it's infuriating. Anyway. The little fairy house that I made a couple of weeks ago using Rice Krispie treats, is now sitting on a tree trunk surrounded by toadstools, fairies and hedgehogs and hedgerow fruit and foliage. I love it. I don't often feel proud of anything I do, but I am proud of myself today.

FUNNY OLD DAY!

Actually quite a bit colder today. Still not cold enough to wear a coat, but heading that way sadly. We've done lots of hits of things today. I still can't get over living so close to the centre of town and just being able to pop in for half an hour. Anyway, we did that, and had the dishwasher repaired. It didn't need much doing. Just resetting really. And a good clean. I spent the rest of the afternoon making bits for my Woodland Pixie cake that goes out later this week. I actually can't wait to start assembling it. We're now stretched out in front of the telly, feet up. Lovely!

FINALLY...

... Managed to communicate with Charles, when he walked back into the house! His battery had run out - of course. Anyway, he was not over-impressed that he had to go out again minutes after getting home. Annoyingly, now that the nights are drawing in, I'm not able to drive after about 3.00, or I should say, I'm not confident about driving in twilight. It's quite restrictive really. Anyway, he sorted it out and I was able to finish Centurion's order along with three Christmas cakes. The house certainly smells festive already!!

GETTING ****** ANNOYED!!!

Answer your flaming phone Charles! I've been trying to get hold you you for ages. I can't leave the house because I've got cakes in the oven Nd am in desperate need of ingredients for a late order. Where are you?

ITS BEEN BUSY...

... But what a lovely weekend we've had with Paul and Karen. They didn't leave until late this afternoon, so we were able to enjoy the amazing weather down at the quayside market. They loved the bridge opening just as we arrived. Perfect timing. Had lunch, enjoyed it, but made mental note to stop eating so much. I've had a frantic couple of hours getting everything straight and now I fully intend to lie on the settee watching all the TV we need to catch up on!! (Bet I fall asleep though.)

SUCH A DISAPPOINTING RESULT.

A draw was no good to us at all and we SHOULD have got something out of it, but I St couldn't get the ball into their net, mostly due to Stoke's excellent goalkeeper. Talking of goalkeepers... When we ended up losing Krul to injury I predicted that we only get three games out of Elliott... And it looks like I was right.

STOKE FANS!!

Got a couple of them coming to stay for the weekend. Fortunately, we know them and we quite like them really! They've been before, when NUFC are playing them. Twice before I think and, from what I recall we've won and drawn in those games. Let's hope we don't let it slip tomorrow. In fact, heck, let's hope for a win! (I'm not going. I've given my ticket to James. We might win.)

HAVE JUST HAD...

... lamb chops for dinner. Haven't had them for ages, but they were delicious, so i need to remember how lovely they are more often! Honestly, I don't think it's been properly light at all today. Rain, rain, rain, fog, wet leaves all over the pavements. Actually, seriously, where are the council? The leaf situation is ridiculous, especially now they're wet and slippery. Someone will come a cropper, mark my words! Managed to cover my next cakes ready for the weekend. This time I'm using chocolate covapaste and it is amazingly brilliant to Apply to the cake. No cracking or tearing, easily mouldable. I love it! Need to try to use it more often! Oh... We discovered Patisserie Valerie. It's fabulous, so long as you're prepared to wait. But believe me, it's so worth it.

SO IT WASNT A RED CARD...

... after all. Nearly everyone knew that already mind. Not that it helps. In fact, it somehow makes it feel even worse.

WAITING FOR...

... a customer to collect a cake. Fortunately it's someone I know really well, although, in a way, that makes it worse! It's my secretary from Heddon, and the cake is for her Mum who's 90 this week. I haven't seen Martha since I left Heddon, but looking at photos of her from recent events I would say she's barely changed. She's a delightful person and I wish her the happiest of birthdays.

TODAY WAS SUPPOSED...

... to be a relatively light day, with not much planned apart from a few quiche and starting on Iton Man again. However, because Centurion failed to order cakes along with their regular weekly cake delivery, I ended up having a bit of a cake marathon, I fact, it's still not finished and I have the last one ready to go into the oven now. THEN I realised that the cake I thought was due to go out on Saturday is actually due on Thursday, so there were panic stations for a while. Anyway, the upshot it... I've been far to busy to sit around on the blog!! And it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better, I'm afraid!

IT WAS THE DERBY...

... today. We lost. It was the refs fault. I didn't watch it, it's just what I've been told.

WELL...

... Last night we had surprise visitors. At least they were a surprise to ME. Charles had, apparently, invited the couple over the road, who I had never even cast eyes on, around to ours for Saturday night drinks and nibbles, but the first I knew of this was when the doorbell rang and this odd couple walked in. Only then did Charles recollect having a conversation earlier in the week. Mind you, he didn't exactly apologise for putting me in an awkward position. Drinks? Nibbles? What nibbles? Then again,it was something of a double whammy for Charles and it involved offering our left over Indian meal to our neighbours, me being appalled at the very idea, and then answering the phone to the neighbour who Charles had clearly already approached with the idea, saying it was too good an offer to miss. Honestly, the communication round here is abysmal. I now feel as though I need to question him every time he's been out, just in case we are about to be inundated by a host of waifs and strays.

BUSY, BUSY DAY!!

In fact really, a busy, busy week. I've managed to get the staff at Centurion to agree to a regular weekly order instead of the ad hoc arrangement we had previously, so now I know that each week I'm producing 14 large quiche. They haven't managed to rationalise their cake order, but that's not so bad, I can deal with that as I pretty much always have cakes ready just in case. So, indeed to start with quiches today, then I foolishly decided to change all the bedding, so I need to sort that and then I've got two huge square cakes to start work on before they go out on Tuesday. Later on this week there are two more complicated cakes going out and I'm still working on designs for other cakes that need time to dry out before I can complete them. So, busy times... And I haven't even thought about Christmas cakes yet!!!

ANOTHER WEEK OVER.

Not sure what's happening to time these days, but there certainly seems to be less of it, and it's whizzing by at a ridiculous rate. I can't get my head round the shops being full of Christmas stuff - why bother even packing it all away, just leave it out, nobody'll notice that it's not appropriate and I bet people would still buy stuff even in summer. Think of all the effort that could be saved, not to mention valuably storage space. Just a thought. Anyway, we were up early. We've got the plumber coming to do some energy saving stuff (I think) so I wanted to be up, showered and have a cake baked before he arrived. I can now guarantee that he won't be coming to us as his first job after all, and we could have had an extra hour in bed. BUT, if we hadn't got up... Right, I need to go out for cake ingredients and then I'm working on my Iron Man model that was driving me bonkers yesterday. I THINK I've got it reasonably stable and should be able to start covering the Rice Krispie framework ter today once the royal icing has dried out. We'll see.

TWO MORE...

... cake orders today. I was pretty sure I was getting one, but Liz actually wanted two cakes because it's a joint party. So it's Iron Man AND a fairy house! Hmmm!! At the moment I'm doing battle with a bowl of Rice Krispie treats, attempting to build Iron Man's torso and head, but failing miserably, despite incorporating wires into the structure to give it extra strength and rigidity. I'm getting a tad frustrated to be honest and might be looking at alternative ideas instead of trying to be two ambitious. Watch this space!

GOT A CAKE CONSULTATION...

... first thing this morning. The cake side of things is pretty busy right now, but I'm especially looking forward to today's meeting as its with one of the Heddon Girls, who I appointed during my headship and who is simply the loveliest person ever. She was also our first visitor to Wingrove Road. She, and her daughter Alice, who is going to be five shortly hence the reason for the consultation, popped in on moving day with a card and a bottle of bubbly.at that point we had nothing in place, the house was an empty shell, so I'm sure she'll see an enormous difference this morning!!

CLAIRE'S HERE...

... for her tea. Without James! We've talked non-stop since she got here! Lovely daughter-in-law!

NOTHING MUCH...

... To report today. I've spent the majority of it in the kitchen making sugarpaste models. I'm not sure if my Jack Russell looks like a dog or a mouse, but I'm relatively pleased with my 90year old bowling lady. My fairy moulds arrived this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to painting those little beauties tomorrow!

HAD A ...

... Strong urge to visit Fenwicks food hall again this morning. This is dangerous. As Charles pointed out, it is one of our closet food shops and, as I pointed out,that makes it pretty dangerous because we could easily spend far too much money in there. As it is, we've bought lots of goodies today AND found some things in the patisserie that we know Claire is going to like on Wednesday when she comes round. (Date and Orange slice, Claire?) Picked up some square cake boards from Gosforth, did more down to earth shopping for cake supplies in Morrisons and am now baking birthday cakes and contemplating making a model of 90 year old Martha playing carpet bowls... Hmmmmmmm...

IT'S MATCHDAY 2...

... Well, 6 - 2 I don't think anyone saw that result coming. Still not easy viewing and lots of careless errors, but at least it was 3 points at last!

ITS MATCHDAY...

... And I'm praying for an excuse not to go. How awful is that? I honestly can't remember the last time we went to a match with any optimism, hope or excited anticipation. These days it's that over-arching sense of doom and dread that pervades everything about the club. Sad times indeed. On a slightly different note... ... I'm thinking of applying for the post of tea lady.

NEXT DOOR'S PUPPY....

... has had a really bad evening. Our neighbours went out this evening for the first time since they got him and Barney has had a total paddy while they've been away. In the end, he was so very distressed Vharles had to send a message to Dave and Gilly and they came home. I'm sure they were expecting to come home early and fortunately they weren't far away and it was just a party so they were able to leave without inconveniencing anyone. Sounds like they've come home to a real mess though. Brings back memories of when our two were babies, and how I used to hate leaving them. But at least we had the crate and that was a complete Godsend. Even now, although they done use it that much, they do go in it happily when're we are both out of the house. It's secure and reassuring for them. Maybe little Barney would be better if he had one.

LAZY FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

Had a bit of a cleaning blitz this morning. (The blinds in the kitchen and the lounge may look the part but are a total pain to keep clean!) Am now snuggled up on the sofa with the girls, leafing through cake decorating magazines. I've just found some fabulous fairy moulds that I've ordered because I think they'll save me hours trying to make my own for a cake that goes out next month. Can't wait for them to arrive so I can have a play!! Completely forgot that James is going to be in Aberdeen next week and won't be able to use my season ticket for the match. Looks like I'll have to go then although I honestly can't bear the stress and constant disappointment surrounding NUFC these days.

WENT TO OUR NEW...

... GP practice this morning. We registered pretty much as soon as we moved in, but I needed a new prescription so had to actually go along, in person on this occasion, although from now on prescriptions can just be renewed over the phone or online. It was interesting. The surgery. Itself is quite new and kitted out with the latest technology. I noticed that you find out when it's your turn by checking the big screen where your name appears above the name of the doctor who is seeing you. All well and good, unless you don't want anyone to know your name for any reason, but what it doesn't do is tell you in which of the many consulting room your appointed GP awaits you. It was my first visit, so the time lapse between my name appearing on the screen to me actually arriving at the appropriate room was lengthy to say the least! A small point, but it would help a lot of the room number could be included on the screen. The doctor who saw me today wasn't our named GP (the one who lives in the road behind us) but a pleasant young man who didn't really seem to know what he was doing. He informed me that he was new (he'd been there three months, so not THAT new), managed after about ten minutes to get my prescription to print, stuck me with a needle for good luck and to avoid flu and then dismissed me without the prescription that I'd gone in for, DESPITE, I might add, the fact that I actually asked him about the procedure regarding the prescription and him telling me the receptionist would give it to me. I thought it was odd, because it had just plopped off the printer in the consulting room where we were sitting, but, never one to argue, I dutifully reported back to the receptionist, who, when I explained the situation, threw her hands up in frustration, asked me what he was playing about at and threatened him with serious harm, before storming off to retrieve the prescription and presumably to give the new doctor a bit of a clip round the ear. It might be worth pointing out that during the last twelve months all the doctors in that surgery have changed. I'm not sure what happened to all the previous staff, but I know for a fact, that the last doctor died. Hmmmmm...

TODAY IS...

... MY HAIR DAY! I've gone from having a weekly appointment at SAKs to only going to have the colour and cut done which is every five weeks or so. Aaaargh NO... TEXT MESSAGE TO RING SAKS... PHEW! I thought they were going to cancel my appointment, but it was just to say that my usual colour hasn't arrived yet,but they have an alternative, so did I want them to use that instead? Who knows?? So long as the end result is right! Thank goodness for that. I've organised the rest of the week around today ( sad I know, but true) so I'm so pleased it's still going ahead.

WATCHING "RIVER"...

... I think I'm going to enjoy this series!

SAD TO SEE...

... the Freelander go. We've loved that car. Charles is, however, on his way to pick up his new (to us) hybrid Toyota. Can't say I feel the same excitement, but it might grow on me!!

WE TOOK THEM AT...

2.30pm. Kay told us that, as we'd asked her to cut their coats really short, the girls would be finished at the groomers more quickly than usual. However, it was 7.00 before they were ready to come home. Kay is such a perfectionist, and there isn't a stray hair anywhere. It's so lovely to see them looking so smart and with such a short cut. They look so small though!! And this morning we are off to Morpeth for what we hope is going to be the last appointment with Simon the Vet. Fingers crossed!!

A MORNING...

... Spent on the quiche production line... ... Followed by an afternoon worrying about how the girls are coping at the groomers... ... Followed by an evening of telling the girls how beautiful they are while watching Strictly. That's what will happen today!

I ABSOLUTELY....

... CANNOT WAIT for tomorrow's appointment at the dog groomers! I don't think the girls have EVER looked so scruffy. I know it's well overdue because of Rose's operation, but I still feel ashamed that they look as bad as they do. We're going to have their coats cut pretty short this time. In the past we've kept it fairly long in an attempt to disguise the lump behind Rose's leg, but now that's gone so they can have a fairly radical cut. I know they hate going, but I'm certain they will feel better when it's done!

SOME MORNINGS...

... you just wake up and can't face making sugar models, despite, or maybe because of, having a great long list of things to produce. I've reached everything out, but just can't work up any enthusiasm yet. Maybe I should have gone to Darlington with Charles to look at the car he's gone to see...

STARTED...

... planning Christmascakes today, but didn't get very far with prototypes because other stuff got in the way. We were out and about this morning, stocking up on cake sundries and groceries and checking out a 'hybrid' Toyota that Charles is fancying swapping the Freelander for. James and Claire came for tea. It was good to catch up with them although I really wish I hadn't eaten so much. Hopefully, I'll get more cake stuff done tomorrow. I need to try to finish the Corsa, make Teletubbies, Thomas the Tank Engine, Thunderbirds, an X box controller and something to do with NUFC - all for one 'Memory' cake. It'll be interesting to see how far I get!

SUCH A MISERABLE DAY!

Good job I've got so many things to do. This morning I've made the chassis for a new shape Corsa, devised (with help from Charles) a crossword that includes the names of four generations from one family, started planning Christmas cake ideas. Later on I'm going to have a go at making meatloaf - a real one, made with minced beef and onions, not a sugarpaste model of a singer - something I've never made before, but was inspired to try after talking to Dave next door. Hope it's as good as he tells me it will be!!

POOR LITTLE ROSE.

No sooner does she have her stitches out than she gets an ear infection and has a huge red bald patch behind her right ear. She has drops from the vet, but the sore patch seems to be getting worse, not better. If she keeps scratching it, she's going to have to wear the dreaded cone again. I can see us going back to the vets tomorrow!

BACK TO THE VET...

... this morning. All the scabs that prevented him removing the stitches last week have come away and I can't see any reason why Rose shouldn't be stitch-free when we come home. We'll stop off in Morpeth for a while as we're so close. Other than that , I'm not altogether sure what's happening today!

NOT SURE IF I MENTIONED...

... that our niece, Sophie, and her boyfriend were staying with us over the weekend. Not that we've seen much of them as they've been out most of the time, but anyway, they left this morning after a bit of a lie in following an evening (for them not us!) in the Toon. We've had a good clean round, done loads of washing and are now relaxing in front of the telly and the Merseyside Derby. Have just read on facebook that Sunderland have parted company with Dick Advocaat (or was it the other way round?) Anyway, here we are again, just a couple of weeks before the Derby and perfect timing for them to make an appointment, lose the first game under him and then thrash us as they have done for the last three years. Talk about history repeating itself.

MET SOME...

... lovely people this afternoon, including our new GP! It was really fab that people had an opportunity to get together and to introduce themselves. I feel even happier about our neighbourhood now that we've met so many of our neighbours. AND - they certainly eat well. Four dozen cupcakes disappeared in a couple of hours!!

WHERE DID THE SUN GO?

What's going on? It's supposed to be gloriously sunny. Just what we need for the street party! Instead it's overcast and quite chilly. Boo!! Let's hope it's just some early morning cloud that will quickly burn off leaving us with another warm and fabulous day.

STREET PARTY TOMORROW.

Such a lovely idea. For no reason other than getting neighbours together. The residents, families and friends from three streets - Curtis Road and sections of Wingrove Road and Nuns Moor Road are having a back street party tomorrow afternoon. I think it's great and really, really hope there's a good turn out. We already know our immediate neighbours well and it'll be lovely to get to know more of them. It's suggested that people take food to share, so I've made a few dozen cupcakes. Hope the weather stays as lovely as it has been all week.

STILL STUFFED...

... After lunch with James, even though neither of us had a big main course. I suspect it was the coffee and dessert that was the killer! However, it was absolutely lovely to see him and to have a couple of hours in town. Thank you Jim!

LOOKING FORWARD...

... to spending some Mum and Son time with James later today. He's got a day off work and asked me to join him for lunch - his treat. How lovely is that?

CHARLES IS...

... In Birmingham today and I think the girls are sulking a bit. We've just been out for a sunny afternoon walk and bumped into Bill, our neighbour, who was out for his 'constitutional'. He's such a lovely man. We're really lucky with all our neighbours and have certainly spent more time in their company than we ever used to with the folk we lived next to in Fram. Looking forward to GBBO this evening. It's chocolate!! ( no need to say any more really!)

POOR ROSE!

She still has her stitches in because she was 'too scabby'.m We've got to soak the scabs off and take her back on Monday.

UP EARLY...

... And getting ready to go to the vets in Morpeth, where Rose SHOULD be having her stitches removed. Afterwards I'm going to stay on in Morpeth for a while and Charles is taking the girls to Blyth to see his Mum and then coming back for me. I can't begin to describe the sense of relief we have from knowing that the lump that was removed was nothing more than the result of a malformed hair follicle! Now we need to find out how soon we can take them to the groomers. They are booked in for this weekend, but the vet might think that's too soon. Hope it's not too long to wait though because both girls are looking very untidy now! Right, just finished my coffee, so need to get going...

WELL, TODAY...

... Didn't exactly work out as I had planned! I WAS going to have a lovely time making fairies and pixies. Instead I had an order from Centurion at lunchtime so needed to get on with that, after I had decided to make my own curries from scratch. I'd bought all the spices and got everything mixed for the marinades and then had to leave it to focus on cake and biscotti. In the middle of all this, there was a phone all from the vet. Thankfully, Rose's lump ISN'T malignant. It's not a problem at all. Apparently it was all to do with an abnormal hair follicle. The vet gave me permission to do a little jig! Believe me, I flew through all the baking after that! Oh, and the currise - chicken tikka and chicken passanda - were really tasty. Bit of a faff, but worth it I think. Tomorrow we take Rose's to have her stitches out, after which we need to go to Morpeth, then Blyth and finally do the Centurion delivery. Maybe after that I can start work on the fairies!

THE GIRLS ARE BACK...

... from their walk in the park and they are FILTHY!! Looks like they're going in the sink for a top and tail job!!wevegot to be careful with Rose because of her stitches, otherwise they would be going in the bath! Good job we've got twin sinks!!

WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY!

Difficult to believe that October starts this week. Sunny, warm and just fabulous. Lovely to see James and Claire this morning and to get involved in a bit of the excitement of baby shopping! January will soon be here. Home again now and about to begin making sugar pixies. This could be interesting!!

GOT SO CARRIED AWAY...

... with making my Transformer cake topper yesterday, that I completely forgot to put a post on the blog. We did other stuff too, so it ended up being a pretty full on day, topped off by the now customary Friday evening round at the neighbours for a meal, a few drinks and lots of chat. Drank white wine last night. I'm not used to it and feel a little fragile this morning!! Charles is up and out already, going with James to take their car for a service in Ashington. I'm guessing we won't see him till afternoon because he's going to see his Mum while he's over that way. And later, we have a match against Chelsea that I simply cannot face, so James is having my ticket and going in my place. It's the late kick off, on TV and is going to be a rout. Okay, time to get on. I've got quiche to make for a customer and I'm going to make a start on a pixie house cake topper. (Very excited about that!)

MOVING VERY GINGERLY!

And I didn't get much sleep, thanks to my back AGAIN! It's not so bad when I'm just walking around, so going into town this morning was fine, so long as I didn't attempt to bend down or carry anything. I am so pleased that I don't have a cake order due this weekend, because I would really have struggled. I'm finding it difficult to sit comfortably and lying down flat is a non-starter. The one thing that seems to help, more than tablets and deep heat, is ibuprofen gel, so I'm applying that regularly. Sadly, it quickly wears off! I might persuade Charles to get a takeaway this evening. He's round at the neighbours puppy sitting for an hour, but when he gets back I'm going to see what he thinks. OR - now here's a thought - maybe he could cook tea himself?!

THE VET WAS...

... Pleased with Rose's recovery. He will see her again on Tuesday to remove the stitches and, hopefully, he'll have the test results back by then. The girls went to see Grandma this morning. I'm not sure who enjoyed it the most! Charles and I debated. Going to the match this evening, but decided against it. I'm very glad we did, because, for the umpteenth time, my back has gone and I really would not have enjoyed sitting in the cold and feeling thoroughly miserable!!

WELL, ITS BEEN A WEEK...

... since Rose's operation. What a sorry little thing she was. She whimpered from the time we got her home until well into the next morning. I sincerely hope we don't have to go through that again with either of the girls. We have to take her back for a check up tomorrow, although the stitches don't come out until next week. I'm sure she'll be anxious when she realises where she is, but after that both the girls are going to see Grandma in Blyth while I meet up with a friend for coffee in Morpeth. I'm sure they both relax and enjoy seeing Marion - and SHE will love seeing THEM. Best thing about today was meeting up with James at lunchtime, only at Kingston Park, but it was so easy to combine it with our shopping trip. Other than that it's been business as usual in the kitchen for me. Getting ahead of myself with quiche production is always a good idea. I'm getting a fair number of cake orders in for this month. This is great news. It will be so good to get back to regulate production again. Only problem now is... Transformers! How do I make a Transformer cake? Good job I've got a couple of weeks to think about it!!

JUST WAITING...

... For the last two quiche to come out of the oven and then I will have made 20 since Friday. Not too bad, considering we've had a fair number of lengthy interruptions during the weekend. Charles has just been to a fruit and veg who.esaler nearby and has come back with three carriers bags of goodies - leeks, garlic, potatoes, courgettes, peppers, Bramley apples and carrots - all for less than £10. And they look fab too!! However, it does mean that I need to use them tomorrow, so it looks like it'll be another quiche day for me.

SO...

... I went out to buy new tee shirts for Rose and then Charles managed to get the girls mixed up and ended up dressing Lily in fetching flowers and stripes while Rose went unprotected and managed to have a good old chew at the stitches. One dog has a massive scar, the other doesn't. How could he possibly get the wrong one?

LEAST SAID ABOUT THE MATCH...

... the better. Is there any difference between the end of last season and this? I really don't think so. Yet again, we feel totally let down and cheated. Actually, when we got in from the game I was so angry that I just couldn't relax, even though it was Saturday evening, so I ended up making myself busy and baking quiche and getting them ready for Monday. I'm quite glad I did now, because I've had a very relaxed Sunday morning. We're going to Jesmond Dene House this afternoon, for Part Two of Lucy and Ata's wedding. We probably won't stay for the whole afternoon, but it will be lovely to see everyone and to have a bit of a catch up with folk we haven't seen for a while.

GOING TO THE MATCH...

... with no enthusiasm or optimism whatsoever!

TOO TIRED...

... to write anything now. In fact, it's tomorrow already. I have finally sat down after a crazily hectic day of wedding cake delivery, shopping, baking, getting another order in from Centruion and worrying about that, preparing stuff for a little BBQ this evening... ... Now I'm seriously knackered. I'm trying to work out how I'm going to prepare the huge Centurion order AND do all the other things we're supposed to be doing this weekend. Sadly, something has to give... Going to bed. Too tired to even think.

OKAY...

... We are pretty much over the trauma of Rose's surgery. The operation went smoothly. Lump removed. Fortunately, although it was quite sizeable, it was positioned more favourably than first feared and, although the scar looks pretty unsightly right now, it should heal up more quickly than if it had been on her elbow. I have to say, that she has been a little trooper. The first night was difficult. She and I slept downstairs and she whimpered all night long, so neither of us had much sleep, but I couldn't have left her. I think she was traumatised by the whole thing to be honest. Lily has been amazing. She hasn't pestered Rose, she coped without her sister on the day of the operation with no difficulty. She has been a pleasure to take out for walks because she has behaved brilliantly. In fact, we now know which of our little darlings makes all the noise!! Tuesday was almost silent in the canine department? Rose returned to the vets for her first check up yesterday and was doing fine. She has since had a little nibble at the wound so is now pretty much wearing the Buster collar all the time apart from when she's eating. We take her back again on Wednsday morning. In the midst of all this, I've had a wedding cake to do. We deliver it in the morning and it will honestly be a relief to get it there in one piece! Just getting it down the steps and into the car is going to be a serious challenge. It's our 38th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Can't believe it's been so long!!

SETING OFF FOR THE VETS

Oh how I wish we didn't have to. My little Rose has no idea of what today is going to bring - thank goodness. I just wish we could fast forward and get it all over and done with. Wish us luck - but especially Rose.

I ACTUALLY WISH...

... It was this time tomorrow. That way, Rose would be safely delivered to the vet (without her breakfast!), we would have gone through the ordeal of leaving her and we might have some idea about what happens next. I KNOW I'm being totally stupid about it. But I just can't help it. I don't want her to be frightened and hurt and, sadly, she's going to be both. She keeps carrying those mad raccoons around everywhere, so I'm going to take them with her to keep her company while she waits. She tried to carry one of them up the stairs last night, but kept tripping over it. It was the cutest thing to watch.

WALKED DOWN...

... to the Central motorway to watch the start of the Great North Run. Such excitement. We really enjoyed being so close to the event and getting caught up in it. Sadly, we missed the Red Arrows because we'd called in at the Allotments to collect my cake box from yesterday and we were in the hut, hearing about the person who won the cake and how she's going to put it into the St Oswald's Hospice raffle, so it's going to hopefully raise even more money. I just hope it's fit to eat once it's eventually finished being raffled. anyway, while we were listening to this, the Red Arrows did their thing and, sadly, you can't press 'rewind'. Since we got back, I've spent a couple of hours making hydrangeas and gypsophila for the wedding cake. I think I probably have enough flowers and foliage made up now. I'll be pleased to get it finished now to be honest. While I was doing that, Charles went off to Kingston Park to get Bill's birthday present and then took it round to Rachel's in Gosforth so that Bill got it close to his actual birthday instead of the usual weeks later. This evening we're going to eat at The Botanist. This will be a first for us, although James and Claire (who are coming too, because we're celebrating Claire's birthday!!) have had a meal there before. We're not eating till 8.30, so will probably be ravenous by then! Might sit in the garden this afternoon. It's such a lovely day. (Still sick with worry about Rose. Am absolutely dreading Tuesday.)

ROBBY AND THE LADS...

... arrived at 8.00 and were finished by 10.00. Front gates on, although it opens outwards which seems a bit odd. We might get him back to redo it. The arbour is in position at the back of the kitchen and looks great there. All the little finishing off jobs have been done and we are DELIGHTED!! Just going to the allotments now with the cake I've made for their raffle and a few cupcakes to sell. Then a quick trip to the shops I think. Shame it's raining for the mini GNR and the games. Hope it's better for the real GNR tomorrow.

BATHED THE GIRLS...

... this morning. They were booked in at the groomers next weekend, but Rose might not be up to it after having her lump removed. So we gave them a good scrub and discovered that the garden room makes an absolutely brilliant grooming salon! We can dry them both together and managed to get them both brushed and dried in less than half an hour. Pretty good going - and very pretty girls!!

ROSE IS BOOKED...

... For surgery on Tuesday morning next week. I'm already sick with nerves and worry. I know it needs to be done and, in a way it's great that they're just going to get on with it and get it out of the way, but she's my baby, and she won't understand what's happening. And she'll be frightened. And I can't bear it.

THE ONLY THING...

... HONESTLY that I miss about our old house is the black splash back behind the range. It made a brilliant backdrop for cake photos. Now I need to have a think about how best to create the same effect. I think large sheets of heavy duty black card. Charles thinks black fabric. Not sure! What would be best? Ideas please...

ROSE.

My darling little girl. The lump behind her foreleg is getting bigger and we feel we have no alternative but to take her to have it checked again and, hopefully, removed. It's going to be upsetting, I just know, but it needs to be done. The trouble with me is that I overthink everything and all I can focus on is little Rose, on her own, recovering from an operation at the vets without Lily around, being frightened and in pain. And I can't bear it.

NOT ENTIRELY SURE...

... why Charles bothers to watch England matches. He moans from beginning to end and NONE of the players (especially, it has to be said - Jonjo Shelvey, are fit to wear the shirt. Turn it off for God's sake. It's not compulsory.

BETTER GET ON!!

To be frank, I just feel like having a totally lazy morning. Charles has been out and got a paper (!) I can't remember the last time we read an actual newspaper!! It might be nice to just settle down with that and a cuppa, but first I need to rush out to pick up emergency supplies for the order I got from Centurion at about 8.30 last night. Admittedly, it doesn't need to be done immediately, but you know me... If I know about it, I have to get it done. So reading the paper will have to wait a while...

RELAXING NOW!

It's actually been a good day, even though it's been so busy, mainly because I've managed to tie up lots of loose ends and think I've found a solution to a cake decorating problem that's been worrying me for a while... How to replicate head and shoulder silhouettes of the bride and groom accurately and recognisably. It's taken a while, and we've had two very different sized images to work with ( the bride was twice the size of the groom!) but we've finally managed to finish up with an image that I think is going to work. My edible printer is knackered, so Charles is going to call into the cake decorating shop in Gosforth tomorrow to get the printing done, then I can relax about that bit.

MONDAY!

... and I'm too busy to blog!! Clearly getting back to 'normal' after holidays and moving!! Had a truly hectic morning, but am not going to try out the new 'easiest ever' Rose cutter that was delivered earlier. Easiest ever? We'll see! Will be back later, or even tomorrow!!

LOVELY DAY!

The weather has been fabulous - not a cloud in the sky all day. We have done loads in the garden and it looks amazing, although, sadly, the girls are getting onto it all the time so we need to find a barrier system tomorrow. I've planted dozens of. Bulbs, and I know that they are poisonous, so there's another reason for keeping the girls well away from the flower beds. Sean came round this afternoon, and he and Charles, along with Dave our neighbour have spent a good few hours talking about music stuff and playing about in the studio next door. We feel incredibly settled here. It's as if we've lived here for years. We love it!!

COULD HAVE DONE WITH A..

... lie in today, to be honest. It's only 9.00 and we've already been up for over two hours. The gardeners are here, working on the front garden, angle grinder blaring away. Bet the neighbours are a bit fed up! Anyway, that aside, we had a really fab time last night. It's hard to believe that we've only been living here for three weeks. We seem to have settled seamlessly into the social set up on this bit of Wingrove Road and it feels really nice. Not too sure what today will bring. We've got a delivery to do and I MIGHT start work on the next batch of quiche, other than that it's a question of waiting for the gardeners to finish so that we can finally begin some planting. I actually can't wait for that bit!

11PM...

...Home. Need to get to sleep. Was a really lovely evening though Night night.

SO, THIS EVENING...

... we are round at the neighbours again, this time for dinner, along with the guys we bought the house from. This could be interesting!! And possibly, a fair quantity of wine might be consumed!

CHARLES IS...

... painting the fence. Not the new fence. That's been treated already and we quite like the way it looks. No, he's painting the old fence outside the kitchen door that has just been exposed when the shrubs were removed yesterday.. The arbour is going to go up against it, so there won't be much of it on show, but it'll look better and be more protected from the elements now. It's a bit of a grey afternoon. Lily is snuggled up in the lounge, fast asleep under her Scruffs comforter. Rose on the other hand, is lying on the decking next to her Dad, watching every brushstroke and just being content to keep him company on this miserable day. She's such a little sweetie!

ANOTHER EARLY START...

... Although probably not as early as Robby and the lads who were on the doorstep at 8.15 and had completely dug out the front garden by 9.30. It's really exciting to watch it taking shape, especially as the end is now in sight. I'm sure the girls are going to love having the space to play!! There was a hint of Autumn in the air this morning. Appropriate for the beginning of September I know, but it always fills me with sadness. (Probably associated with all the decades of returning to school after the holidays!!) Okay, the cakes that are to be delivered to Centurion tomorrow are in the oven. The kitchen is stifling and I can't open the window because of the angle grinder! God knows how they will cool enough to be frosted! Might have to do the GBBO trick of popping them into the freezer to speed things up. Talking of GBBO - it's on tonight! Oh joy!!!!!

A PRODUCTIVE DAY!

I'm really enjoying having the Mazda back. Thank you so much to James and Claire got looking after it for me. It means I can get out and about a bit without having to rely on Charles. I've spent all day in the kitchen ( no surprise there then!) some of the baking was for the wedding cake, but mostly I was getting ready for tomorrow when James, Claire and one of James's work colleague are coming for dinner. Typically, I'd almost finished for the day when I got an order from Centurion, so I didn't start on it today, but have ordered all the ingredients from Tesco to be delivered first thing tomorrow so I can get started straightaway. Fingers are firmly crossed that the weather stays fair tomorrow so that Robby can put in a good day in the back garden!

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY

Hate it! Nothing good ever comes out of this day for Newcastle fans. Sooner it's all over the better.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY!

What a drag!! At one time I would have loved every minute of an extra day added to the weekend, but now it's just a bit of an inconvenience. Too many people out and about on the roads and in the shops (get back to work), no deliveries (I'm waiting for stuff that I've ordered) - it just feels like a bit on a nothing day, a waste of a day. (Just goes to show how my mind set has changed since I left teaching!) So, I'm just carrying on from yesterday. Late last night I baked the first of my 11" round sponges for the wedding cake. This morning I've done the second. It will probably only take one more to reach the requisite height and then all the baking is done. Just need to work out how to do these silhouettes now!!

NO SUNDAY MORNING...

... lie in for us today! Up at 7.00, and ready for Robbie and co who arrived less than an hour later, putting in another shift before knocking off at lunchtime. Hey, it's Bank Holiday Sunday. I think that's fair enough. In fact, I think it's incredible that they turned up at all on a Sunday! L We're hopeful that we should be finished - back and front - by next Saturday. They should be back on Wednesday, weather permitting and then finish off on Saturday. And it is going to be amazing!! So, funny old day really. I've made two tiers for the wedding cake that goes out in September. They are in the freezer, levelled and sandwiched, with their first coat of buttercream done. I'll make a start on the bottom tier tomorrow. I've made roses, painted roses and ivy leaves and made ribbon loops to mix amongst the flowers. Had another brisk walk into town and did some fairly uninteresting shopping. I actually LOVE being able to walk to the shops and don't really mind that I don't do that much when I get there!! Charles is out this evening and the girls and I are enjoying 'Big Blue Live' - and profiteroles ( me, not the girls, obviously!)

OH DEAR!!

Maybe Robby SHOULD have been a tad nervous. Certainly didn't see that result coming. And as for our game? Least said the better really, except to note that Marriner COMPLETELY ruined the match and probably had an Arsenal top on under his refs gear. He was shockingly biased. I think it got to the point when the only member of our team without a yellow card was Tim Krul and having watched him approach Marriner and his cronies at the end of the game, it wouldn't surprise me to hear that he was also awarded one for his impudence. Pathetic refereeing performance.

OUR GARDENER...

... supports Liverpool. He's Belgian. Maybe that explains it. Anyway, it was interesting that the moment he arrived on the doorstep this morning he asked me if I was nervous about our match today. I answered that of course I am. We're playing Arsenal. Infact, it wouldn't really matter who we were playing, I would still feel nervous. I've got the pre-match butterflies already. Indeed, I woke up with them!! And that is the point of this little post. Liverpool are also playing today and Robby has no doubt at all that they will win. They're playing West Ham, I think, and you would expect them to win comfortably, but there was not even a flicker of uncertainty in Robby's mind. He has total confidence in his team. When was the last time a Newcastle fan could say that?

IT WAS SO LOVELY...

... to see the girls from Heddon last night. Great choice of venues - Browns for cocktails and Zizzi's for extremely delicious food - but the best thing was catching up after all this time, but feeling like we'd just seen each other yesterday. We had such a giggle. I caught up on all the gossip and learned how much they miss me - which was really nice! All agreed it was a great evening and we need to do it again soon.

JUST SITTING AROUND...

... Chilling! This is very odd. Charles is out in Morpeth getting the Freelander MOT'd. I've got to stay in because I have a delivery coming today. I finished the birthday cake for tomorrow yesterday evening. Have done all the cleaning... ...Actually have nothing to do! So am drinking coffee and having snuggles with the girls!

PRETTY EXCITED...

... about tomorrow evening. I'm going out with the Heddon staff, en masse, for the first time since I left! No doubt it will be a loud night, full of laughter, fuelled by cocktails! Can't wait!

PROGRESS WITH THE GARDEN!!

Sleepers are in, making a flower bed at the top end. The hard core is down ready for the paving slabs. We' ediscussedtjeplacing of the arbour (or 'harbour') as our Belgian gardener insists on calling it. Work will continue on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

GOT THAT WRONG!!

Charles didn't walk to the ticket office. He got the bus!

THE PLAN...

... is all starting to come together. We were pretty serious when we said that one of the reasons for moving was so that getting to the match would be quicker and easier. I know people thought we were bonkers, and we probably are, but there you go. That's us. This evening we will be going to OUR first home game this season. Charles has just walked down to the ticket office (!), James is coming round after work for a pre-match meal and then we're going to walk down to the ground and get a taxi back at the end. Am actually more excited about the logistics of getting to the ground than the actual game, although it will be interesting to see the new players, especially as it's Thauvin's home debut. It would be good to see some passion and determination too. (Only joking about not being excited about the game. Of course I am!)

THE GIRLS...

... Have had a good long walk this morning, showing their Uncle Richard around Fenham and the park and the Town Moor. They even visited the allotments and Charles signed us up (at the princely sum of £1 each) to the Friends of Fenham Allotments or whatever they call themselves. This gives us lots of benefits apparently, but not an actual allotment. Just waiting for Charles and Richard to bring their Mum to have coffee ith us. I hope it's t going to be too much for her, because there are steps up to the front door to negotiate and she will need considerable help with that. Might go into town this afternoon...

HAVEN'T WRITTEN THE BLOG TODAY,

Mainly because I've been so busy. The morning was spent in the kitchen making quiche for a Centurion and starting the sponges for the motorbike cake that goes out next week. I also made an apple pie. Haven't done one for ages. We went round to James and Claire's this afternoon. It was lovely to see all the things they've got ready for the baby. It'll be here before we know it! Went to the Garden Centre (Cowells) and bought a few plants and some trellis. Also had a good look at things we might buy once we've seen the results when Robby has finished. This evening we've had a house full. Patrice and Richard, Helen and Bill and James and Claire joined us for an Indian (and assorted desserts!) Am truly shattered now, but really want to stay awake to watch the match from earlier.

FRIDAY MORNING!

Been here just short of a week. Today we're having the boiler serviced and the electrician is returning to complete the huge list of tasks he began yesterday. After that I think we have a few days break before the gardeners return next Wednesday to get the paving at the back and the front of the house sorted. I might go out and buy some plants over the weekend. Also need to go to James's to take the Mazda for a drive. It's been parked at his house for nearly a month nowadays needs to stay there until the garden is finished, but I'm missing it terribly!!

ITS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE...

... that this time last week we were still in Cornwall! I've never really known a week like this. It's been absolutely non-stop action. Today is a case in point. Electricians are rewiring, installing outside lighting, putting up indoor light figments and other stuff, then the TV guy is coming to set up additional points, I'm busy baking for Centurion. Rose is beginning to move a little more easily on Ther poorly paw, although she still limps quite often. Tomorrow will bring the guy who is going to service the boiler and set up a thermostat and timer that aren't in place at the moment. It really is all go! Oh, and I need to begin thinking about celebration cakes. I've got a motorbike cake to do for next weekend and a pretty complicated wedding cake to do in about three weeks. And before I do anything at all with sugarpaste, I need a marble block to sit on the top of our wooden worktops, because there's no way I would get a smooth finish without one.

FENCE POSTS...

... are going in. Four guys here today. Again, they were here well before 9.00. At least the weather is better than yesterday!!

POOR LITTLE ROSE

She hurt her back right paw on Monday, moving day. I was outside with her when she suddenly yelped with pain and began limping, unable to put any weight on it. Ten minutes later though, she was running about as though nothing had happened. But, late on yesterday afternoon, she began to worry at it and started seriously limping again, so we've managed to get her an appointment with the vet this morning. We've decided to take her back to the practice in Morpeth, because they know her there. Charles has taken both of them. Rose will no doubt be glad of Lily's company. Stupidly, I gave them breakfast this morning. It may well have been better not to because she is so sensitive to it being touched that it may be necessary to sedate her. I HATE it when they are in pain. Ridiculously, I just go to pieces, so I've stayed here and poor old Charles is having to cope with it on his own.

RELATIVELY LAZY DAY!!

Can't remember the last time we just sat around in our own home. Okay, we've just come back from a fortnight's holiday, but even then we were always on the go. Today has been very chilled though. Admittedly it started quite early and our gardening guys arrived before 8.30. Maybe, watching them work so hard all day has increased my feeling of laziness by comparison. To be honest, the garden is looking horrendous now. The trees have gone, as have most of the overgrown shrubs. The decking by the dining room has gone, but, typically, there are air bricks (they had been covered by the decking!) right where we don't want them to be and that's going to complicate matters when it comes to putting the paving down. Why is nothing ever straightforward?

SO, HERE WE ARE...

... settled in, remarkably quickly. I think the two part move helped a lot. If we'd had to sort all of the kitchen stuff yesterday we may not be sitting around feeling quite so smug this morning. I didn't sleep well though. I think I'd got over-tired, I ached all over and just couldn't switch my brain off. Never mind, we've been invited round to the neighbours for drinks and nibbles this evening, so the consumption of a decent red wine should aid restful sleep!! At the moment, the garden is being ripped apart by the guys from Longhorsley Garden Services. Hopefully, by tomorrow evening, the leylandii will be a distant memory and we should have a smart new fence in place. We need to go out to buy a few bits and pieces to enable us to hang a couple of the bigger pictures better. Some of them have adopted a decidely jaunty angle overnight!

ALL DONE!

Too tired to type though. But happy with how things look now. For the first time in weeks we are completlely straight and sorted. The removal men left at 4.30 and we carried on until there was only one box left to do - and that one can wait till tomorrow! Night night! (Oh, just need to say - we LOVE our house!!)

MOVING DAY!

And BROADBAND finally installed so can join in with the world again! Will be back later when unpacked!

QUICK!!

It won't last, but right now I'm connected to the Internet. We've had zero connectivity here for the last two days and have just had to rely on our phones while we've been out and about to keep up to date with facebook etc. It's so frustrating, but makes you realise how much we have come to rely on instant communication these days. Well, there's been nothing instant about the blog. I have to say, it will be really lovely to be able to get back to regular posts once we get home!!

BROADBAND???

In Cornwall? I don't think so? I've waited all day for a signal and have only just got one in the last few minutes. Hopeless. Sadly, it's far too late to be going into detail about our day, other than to say we've had a day on Bude Beach. We are all glowing from the sun. Then we had a great pub meal out this evening and are all knackered now, so it's bedtime for everyone... ... And when we wake up it will be Charles's birthday... AND James and Claire will be on their way!

CAN ONLY POST...

... On the blog when I have a signal...and I've waited pretty much all day to get one today. Very frustrating. It's been a much better day weather-wise today and we went to Boscastle and Tintagel this morning. I honestly don't rate Tintagel at all - it's just an excuse to make money so far as I can see - but Boscastle is a different matter. I was really surprised at how rugged and unspoilt it is. Because we were there so early we were able to see it in all it's natural glory and didn't have to share it with other tourists. It is difficult to imagine the sheer scale of the flood that caused such devastation, and it was clear from talking to some of the residents that the horror of it hasn't diminished. This afternoon we stayed around the house and sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine. Hannah and Bentley arrived at 4.00 and Charles and I went into Launceston to do some shopping and for me to get my hair done. Charles went round to Chopper's house. Actually cooked a meal this evening!! Nothing flash, just pasta, but it was quite nice to eat in for a change!

WEATHER IS HORRIBLE...

... this afternoon. We managed a cloudy morning in Polzeath and Port Isaac before the weather really broke down while we were in Bude. We rushed into Launceston to get some supplies in and are looking forward to a cosy evening in with Cornish pasties and cream scones. Hugely fattening, but extremely delicious. I did think I should let James know that stout footwear would be advisable when they come next week. Not that we expect Claire to be scrabbling around the cliff tops, but in order to stroll from the car parks into the villages I just think good shoes are going to be better than flip flops or sandals. We saw lots of young girls this morning who were gingerly making their way down the hill into Port Isaac, practically falling out of their flip flops.it was going to be even harder work when they had to get back to their car at the end of the day!!

TODAY FOUND US...

... Getting a really early start and arriving in Looe, on the south coast, at 8.00, in time to wander empty streets and watch the little town wake up. We had a fab time, enjoying the peace and tranquility, finding a great, welcoming cafe for breakfast. When it began toget busy, we took a taxi to Polperro and we're delighted to discover that it was just perfectly charming and picturesque. The weather was lovely. The girls have walked and walked, and have certainly both lost weight!! Wish we had. This evening we are going out for burgers and a drink with Chopper.

THE SECRET...

... to a happy holiday in Cornwall, is to go to bed early. If you do this, you can get up,at the crack of dawn, enabling you to drive to your preferred location for the day ahead of the hundreds of other tourists who want to share the holiday with you. We've done well so far. We were in Padstow before 9.30 and the main car park was pretty full, but the village itself was relatively quiet and really pleasant. Walking along the cliffs was an absolute joy and, when we reached a hidden expanse of beach that we had pretty much to ourselves, our delight was complete. We drove back over Bodmin Moor in hopes of seeing Ross Poldark, but were disappointed on that front.

VERY ANNOYING!

The broadband connectivity is so rubbish here that blogging is almost going to be impossible. I've written a few posts that have failed to publish at all, but only realised this when it was too late to try again. So, could just be intermittent posts for a while.

GOOD MORNING FROM CORNWALL!

Had an early start because Charles got up to go to the loo at 6.00 and then I couldn't get back to sleep. He went back to bed. I was up for the day. Might drive across to Bude after breakfast, then I think we're having Sunday lunch at the dog-friendly pub we went to last year with Chopper and Jenny.

CATCHING UP!

Haven't been able to blog at all for the last couple of days. No Broadband in the house yet. And no time to be honest!! The move (Part One!) could not have gone more smoothly. We completed early, picked up the keys in Gateshead and were in our new home just after 11.00 and receiving our first visitors before midday! The house is everything we hoped it would be. Of course there are bits to do to it, but there is nothing major, apart from sorting the garden out and we have put the wheels in motion for that and also for some odds and sods of electrical and plumbing work. The neighbours have been very welcoming. Lots of offers of cups of tea and plenty of advice about mundane stuff (like bin day) Considering we have only had the house for about thirty hours, we have been able to completely unpack everything that arrived yesterday and to dispose of all the boxes and packaging materials. I think we've done pretty well actually! Now feel a bit headachy and am glad we have finished for a while, and have the holiday to look forward to. I'm sure it'll do us all good. Charles is wanting to set off before 6am. That makes lots of sense, but I suspect I may well go back to sleep in the car because I'm feeling so drained. I just hope HE has a bit more stamina!

YOU KNOW I SAID...

... I must stop eating? Well... mum decided that she was well enough to go to Betty's for the afternoon tea I bought vouchers for for her birthday. So, we have eaten sandwiches, scones and three different little cakes, washed down with gallons of tea. I honestly cannot remember the last time I ate so much during the course of five days. So much for all the careful, restrained eating I've been doing for months!!

MUST STOP EATING!!

We went for a meal last night. It was lovely, but seven courses long. Admittedly, one of these was coffee and chocolate covered strawberries, but even so, I consumed as much food in that one meal as I would normally eat in five. Consequently, I've had little sleep as I've had to wrestle with it all night.

BACK IN TIGHTS!!

100 denier at that! It's JULY for God's sake! And it's miserable, wet, cold, grey weather. Hardly makes you look forward to a fortnight in Cornwall The girls have just been for a walk with their beagle cousins and have spent the last ten minutes being towel dried, despite going out in their Barbours!! Still, I actually wouldn't swap our fortnight in KERNOW with my brother who's going on a cruise in the Med. With my inevitable sea sickness I wouldn't go on a cruise even if I was paid handsomely to do it. Mind you, after a fortnight I would certainly have lost a stone or so in weight!!

SHOPPED TILL WE DROPPED!!

Ate far too much. Drank too many coffees. Bought lots of lovely things. Got back to Helen's. Did 'Show and Tell' with our purchases. Then I got a migraine, and still have it now, so if my typing is complete rubbish it's because I can't see the keypad because of my DOUBLE aura. Have taken painkillers and just need to wait for it to pass...

GOING INTO LEEDS...

... with Helen and Hannah to spend a day shopping. I am ridiculously excited!!!!

THE SHEER PLEASURE...

... of being able to set off in the car for Skipton, to take the dogs for a relaxed walk along the canal, enjoy coffee and teacakes sitting outside, mooch around the shops and spend an afternoon drinking frothy cappuccino and reading home improvement magazines... ... Cannot be underestimated. This is pure therapy after the trauma of selling the house!

STRUGGLING...

... to stay awake, despite the good sleep last night. It's mid-afternoon, and I could happily shut my eyes for half an hour! Must be the sudden relief from stress that's causing me to feel overwhelmed with tiredness all of a sudden.

THAT WAS...

... the best sleep I've had in weeks, if not months. Have woken up feeling refreshed and relieved that the horrors of selling our house are over. Wonder what we're going to do today? Whatever it is, it won't involve worrying!!

PROBABLY TOO LATE TO BLOG

I'm tired. Ready for bed. The day started extremely early and has been frantic, full on activity. Removals guys turned up at 8.30, an hour early, and just as well really as we filled two large vans (seven containers) and a small van (just for plants and the Belfast sink!) and didn't actually get the keys to the estate agent until 4pm. We received a fairly unpleasant text from our buyers asking us what we were playing at(!!!) when we were completely unable to move any more quickly. It certainly took the edge off the day and was not really necessary. Never mind, we can put all that behind us now. We are at Helen's. And it's such a relief. The girls have met up with their beagle cousins, Bumble and Bentley, and are learning to tolerate their puppyish behaviour although both of them are showing signs of becoming Grumpy Old Women! No fun at all! Looking forward to a good sleep tonight!

LAST FULL DAY....

... in Fram. It actually seems quite strange to think that we will be leaving the village after 28 years. I have very mixed feelings about it actually. Up to this point, I have only been able to think excitedly about our new life in Fenham, but this morning I feel pretty sad about saying goodbye to the place we've called home for over quarter of a century. We've got Helen and Bill coming this morning. They are taking some of our furniture back to Yorkshire for Hannah and, hopefully, helping Charles take some large items to the tip. We're planning lunch at the Village Inn. It will be nostalgic. James and Claire are popping up later. We need them to take a few bits and pieces to their place (just stuff that's awkward to pack really) and then we SHOULD be pretty much ready for the removals men tomorrow morning. Let's just hope completion goes smoothly!

AND MORE....

... packing. The aim, however, is to have it pretty much sorted by the end of play today, although there are still a couple of time consuming jobs that might prevent us achieving that goal. Added complications are that we have almost run out of boxes and have to wait till this afternoon for more to arrive, the bedroom furniture that we are getting rid of is being picked up and the tumble dryer (which I have managed without for a week and a half at a time when I have been laundering everything that we are taking to the new house!) is being returned. I also need to nip into Morpeth quickly, although that in itself, takes an hour and a half because of the drive. Roll on the days when Morrisons is just two minutes away!! Anyway, can't stop here chatting. Better get on...

STILL...

.... PACKING. Getting a bit tired of it now to be honest. We even need more bubble wrap and boxes, so the removals firm is delivering more tomorrow. I used to boast that I enjoyed moving and could pretty much move into a new home and be sorted before bedtime. That won't be happening this time round. Might have to take two days over it!!

LATE WITH THE BLOG TODAY!

Not sure where the time went today... We seem to be making steady progress with the packing but, worryingly, there are just 5 packing boxes left and we still have a fair bit to get done. We're also going to run out of bubble wrap I think, because we still have all the mirrors and pictures to wrap and we've already used a fair bit of the roll the removals firm dropped off, just on crockery and fragile stuff. Had a visit from Tom and Hannah who have returned home for a brief visit afar teaching in Mexico for two years. They had some interesting tales to tell. They're off on their travels again next week and will be away for another year, mostly Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia. Oh to be young!!

OUGHT TO GET UP!

(Doesn't the word 'OUGHT' look strange? Some words do, don't they? Very odd!) Anyway, here we are, the last Sunday morning we will spend in Fram. I actually can't believe its really happening, even though I know damn well it is because of the complete chaos we are living in. This time next week we will have spent two nights at Helen's. I just don't know what we would have done without them. They have a house that is completely upside down because Bill is gutting the kitchen literally from the ceiling down, and yet they are still prepared to put us up for a week. I just hope we can make ourselves useful while we're there. Looks like a dull, overcast day and feels a bit chilly. Might stay under this duvet a bit longer!!

PACKING!

and baking fourteen large quiche. Could have really done without it today, but think it's the last delivery before we move out on Friday. Charles has made a great start on moving everything that's ready packed into one room, so that we have a bit of order and logic to what we are trying to do.

HUGELY FRUSTRATING,

I'm not altogether sure what support I expected to receive from the Mental Health Team this morning, but basically all they are saying is that we MUST involve the police if we are concerned. Obviously we do not want to have to do this EVER (what parent would? ) but three professionals have now given us the same advice since yesterday evening and we are going to need to think very carefully about it if it's a case of preventing an escalation of illness and an increased risk to welfare. It is so sad that we have got to this stage again, and, unless you have lived through what we have gone through, nobody can really appreciate the awfulness of it.

HAVEN'T WRITTEN THE BLOG...

... today, mainly because we've been so busy with deliveries, returning curtains, checking out nursery stuff, redirecting mail, more packing etc But most of all because we had a very distressing sequence of texts and phone calls from Christina. She is clearly in a very bad place. We desperately want to help and support her, but are struggling to know what to do for the best right now. It's so sad. We are really concerned for her well-being.

STARTED PACKING.

Ugh and ugh again. What a horrid job. I'd forgotten how awful it is. Mind you, it's been over quarter of a century since we did it last, so that will have dulled the memories I expect. The thing is, I work really hard and fill up the boxes and then I look around and I don't seem to have made any impression at all. I'm slowly peeling back the layers from Christina's old room and unearthing stuff that we'd bought for the original house and that I've forgotten about. Fortunately pretty much everything will work in the new house, so, other than all the curtains we bought, there's nothing major to return to the shops. Going to call it a day for now. In the morning we need to do a delivery to Centurion, then pop into town and make sure we take the Post Redirection stuff into the PO. After that, Charles can give me a hand with packing. He'll love that.

AM A BIT...

... overwhelmed by the arrival of the packing boxes. The enormity of the task ahead has suddenly hit home. I don't even know where thirty fully assembled crates are going to go. Panic!

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED....

... our facebook announcement, we are going to be grandparents in January. We are thrilled to bits for James and Claire and so delighted that we are going to be living withing ten minutes of them.

CHARLES HAS SPENT...

... All his money. NO! JOKE!! Charles has spent HOURS ON THE PHONE TODAY - sorting out gas, electric, water, car insurance, house contents insurance, council tax, etc etc for when we move to Wingrove Road. We've finally managed to get a price from the vendors for the curtains in the property. I thought Charles would want to negotiate, but he's just agreed to it, so maybe he's not feeling too well, but at least we know we've got curtains already up when we move in and we can return all the ones we previously bought for the first house!! They've also very helpfully said we can leave our plants at the house from the day we move out. That will be a huge help. All we need to do is to have a discussion with the neighbour about the leylandii/fence situation, but he is on holiday and won't be back till just before we complete, so we need to be patient about that. We put a cheque in the post for our purchasers to cover their storage costs as we promised. Just need to get the mail redirection form approved at the PO, and will do that later in the week. Tomorrow we are taking delivery of thirty packing cases, so at last we can begin the final phase of this hugely protracted move.

FEELNG SO MUCH MORE...

... relaxed now that contracts have been exchanged. Actually had two reasonable sleeps and even a bit of a lie in this morning. Mind you, we've just been talking about the logistics of the actual moving process and it's going to be a total nightmare. We need to be out of here on 24th, but can get into the new house until 30th, so need to camp out with Helen for those few days, even though she's in the middle of having a new kitchen installed. We come back here for 30th, get a small amount of stuff moved in and the cleaning done and then have to leave again the very next day because we're all going to Cornwall for a fortnight. Seriously, the timing is awful and could hardly have been worse, but never mind... After the hols we have our next delivery of furniture and belongings on 17th August Our discussion centred around what we need to ask James and Claire to store, what we need to take to Helen's, what we need to do about holiday packing... ... And right now I don't really want to think about any of it!! (It's men's finals day. I'll just enjoy that and then I'll put my mind to moving.)

WHAT DID WE LEARN YESTERDAY?

Probably just to expect more of the same from NUFC. Passing and possession were okay, but finishing was non-existant. We were only playing Gateshead for goodness sake! Can't honestly say the start of the season holds any anticipatory thrill for us!

SO, AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS...

... NEWCASTLE ARE ABOUT TO SIGN TWO PLAYERS!!! INCREDIBLE!! Oh and we exchanged contracts on our sale and purchase today! So, a pretty good day so far!!

SO, STILL NO...

... exchange. Not sure what's going on. Apparently our solicitor left early for the day, but there's no reason why another member of the team couldn't have closed it off. We have now been told that if it doesn't happen by noon tomorrow the whole thing is off. This has added enormously to the stress levels we are feeling. So it looks like another sleepless night.

HAVE HEARD FROM...

... our buyers and feel that we can relax a bit. It looks as though contracts are ready for exchange, hopefully this afternoon as everything has been done to enable it to go ahead. I went to Morpeth to try and calm down. The combination of nerves and caffeine wasn't good. But a bit of retail therapy and a change of scene ( combined with the reassuring text message) sorted things out!

OKAY...

... I need to get out of the house, get some air and just get myself away from the stress of not knowing what's happening. No news at all from our solicitor today. If this is what selling your house is always like I'm amazed anyone ever moves anywhere.

I AM ACTUALLY...

... starting to hyperventilate. Seriously. I've used my inhaler so many times this morning I've lost count. If it all goes wrong now, I honestly don't know what we will do.

I SWEAR!!!

The towel that I was about to throw in last week... ... is in my hand right now.

THIS IS BEYOND...

... A JOKE! You really would NOT believe it.

NEED TO TURN THE SOUND DOWN...

... On this ladies match. Serena and Azarenka are both shrieking their way through every shot. It's getting really tiresome. Charles and I paid our (hopefully) final visit to our solicitor this afternoon. Everything is now in place for exchange of contracts and this should happen tomorrow. He did think that my suggestion of getting the champagne chilled was a good one!!

THE REMOVALS FIRM...

... have been out to us again. Hopefully we will receive their quote by tomorrow. It was the same guy who came to us last time. In fact, we have only contacted the one firm - Brown and Illingworth - because he is so lovely to deal with (and they were very reasonable in their first quote!). Have just spoken to our solicitor who is hoping we will exchange on Wednesday. This is great news for everybody concerned. Hopefully, for the first time in months, we might be able to relax a little towards the end of the week.